Last week, His Eminence Metropolitan Ioan of Banat marked his name day by sharing lunch with the beneficiaries of the Emergency Social Centre for Homeless People at Pădurea Verde in Timișoara, whom he called “brothers of Christ.”
The metropolitan brought dozens of containers of warm food and dined alongside the shelter residents.
“Do you see these containers? I, too, once lived in a container, but this one is much better than the one where I spent part of my life. How could I taste and eat a piece of bread today, knowing these people are here, so lonely and abandoned?” said Metropolitan Ioan.
“Some of them have been left by their families, with relatives gone to the West, where ‘milk and honey flow,’ forgetting to send even a small amount of money.”
Compassion and Solidarity
“All these people once had a home, a place that belonged to them. But now, someone else will take their house, land, and everything they left behind. That is why we must remember the teaching of Christ: to have mercy on the suffering, the poor, and those who have nothing left,” he added.
“Whenever there is an important feast, such as St. John’s Day, I come to these brothers of Christ. Yes, brothers, because each of them, with their struggles and harsh stories, is part of the Lord’s family. And we must not forget to thank the staff who care for them, providing at least a minimum of dignity under the blue sky of Banat.”
“This reality calls us to compassion and action because, ultimately, mercy and kindness define us as humans,” Metropolitan Ioan concluded.
Social Support and Tradition
Delia Bugariu, head of the Emergency Centre, praised Metropolitan Ioan’s care for the homeless and extended birthday wishes on behalf of everyone.
The Metropolitan of Banat visited the beneficiaries, who live in containers equipped with utilities at the Emergency and Crisis Support Centre at Pădurea Verde in Timișoara.
Sharing meals with people without housing on St. John’s Day has become a tradition for Metropolitan Ioan, who regularly supports the centre with substantial food donations for its residents.
The centre offers free or low-cost social services to people in difficult economic and social situations. It provides two meals daily (lunch and dinner) and free counselling, information, and guidance to institutions equipped to address specific needs.
The main centre and soup kitchen are located at 8 Telegrafului Street, Timișoara.
Photo: Metropolis of Banat
